Express-News staff writer Terrence Thomas answers some of the key questions for the upcoming high school soccer campaign:

SAN ANTONIO — 1.
District 26-5A saw all of its girls playoff teams — Johnson, Reagan, MacArthur and Churchill — advance to at least the third round in 2013, with Johnson and Churchill playing in the regional final. What should we expect from the league this season?

More of the same. Johnson, Reagan and Churchill should return plenty of firepower from a year ago. MacArthur lost E-N Area Super Team forwards Courtney Bertholf and Brianna Livecchi, who combined for 47 goals and 28 assists and signed with UTSA, but has enough holdovers to make another deep postseason run. A team from this district has made it to the UIL Class 5A state tournament in 10 of the past 12 seasons.

2.
The Jay boys have advanced to the Region IV-5A tournament each of the past two seasons. Can the Mustangs make it to the regional tournament for a third straight time?

Absolutely. Jay advanced to the regional final a year ago for the first time in program history, losing to Brownsville Hanna 2-0. The Mustangs lost in a shootout to eventual state champion Mission Sharyland in the regional semifinals in 2012. With seven starters and 13 letter-winners returning — including defender Kyler Heintz, midfielders Marco Jasso and Hugo Plascencia and Super Team forward Oscar Plascencia — Jay could very well become the first Northside ISD boys team to make it to the state tournament.

3.
Every year, there seems to be a team that comes out of nowhere and puts together a surprising season. What teams fit the bill this year?

On the boys side, keep an eye out for Jefferson. A year ago, the Mustangs won their first district title since 1999. With forward Marco Cruz, who had 35 goals in 2013, among eight starters returning, Jefferson could be primed for a big season. On the girls side, Brennan — led by forward Ammber Valverde and under the guidance of coach Zoila Hurley — could play the part.